Union Local senior Luke Menges sprints toward the finish line and victory in the 100 meter dash. He also won the 200 meters, too.

BYESVILLE — Obviously, any time a team competes, it wants to win.

However, most track coaches would tell you advancing to the next level is just as important.

Numerous area competitors subscribed to that theory Saturday as the Division II Eastern District Championship meet concluded at Meadowbrook High School.

Cambridge got the best of St. Clairsville in a rematch of their battle in the OVAC 4A competition two weeks ago by four points. The Bobcats finished with 117 tallies.

Though the Red Devils are bringing the silver trophy back to Belmont County, they and numerous other area schools are still alive as the track season gears up for its second round, which will begin Thursday at Muskingum University in New Concord.

Here’s a capsule look at area school’s qualifiers:

BELLAIRE

The Big Reds returned to Division II after a multiple-year stay in Division III and are sending a solid collection of talent to the regional meet.

Leading the way for Coach Shawn Valloric’s squad is junior strong man Cole LaRoche. The returning all-Ohioan won the shot put crown with an impressive mark of 57-9 1/4.

Other Big Reds to qualify included: Isiah Wilhelm (1600),

On top of the individuals, Bellaire’s 4×1, 4×2, 4×4 and 4×8 also advanced to next week.

INDIAN CREEK

The lone Redskin heading to Muskingum University is Ensign Mairorano (200).

MARTINS FERRY

The Purple Riders’ regional-bound crew is led by district champion Marcus Clark. The senior punched his ticket by virtue of capturing the 3200 meter run in 10:25.34.

Other Ferry individuals on their way to the regional include: Jarrett Bolinger (pole vault), Ozy Gil (1600), Justin Geery (3200),

The Purple’s 4×8 team qualified during the first day of competition.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE

Coach Tony Ciroli’s team racked up yet another district championship and its returning all-Ohioans — Christian Oberdick and Justin Heatherington — played a big role once again.

Oberdick got things started when he won the high hurdles in 14.74. He later added a runner-up finish in the intermediates.

Heatherington was second in the high jump and had already advanced in the long jump during the opening round of competition.

The Red Devils’ 4×1 team of Luke Watt, Oberdick, Aaron Jordan and Heatherington passed the baton to a 44.01 clocking.

Putting the exclamation point on their title, the St. C. 4×4 team of Zac Orzolek, Dombrowski, David Mellema and Braedyn Mihalic won the final event in 3:29.36.

Other Red Devils headed for the regional are Dombrowski (400), Orzolek (800), Zac Banks (3200), Mellema (110M HH, 300IH), Watt (pole vault),

St. Clairsville also send its 4×2 and 4×8 squads as well.

STEUBENVILLE

Junior speedster Jorian Jones had a big meet for Big Red, winning the 400 meter dash title in 51.77.

With Jones on the anchor, Steubenville’s talented 800 relay team of Jaziah Blackwell, Jonathan Blackmon and Caleb Mitchell won the district title in an impressive 1:30.91.

Other Big Red competitors advancing are Mitchell (100), Blackmon (110M HH), Dalan Livingston (300M IH), Jones (long jump), Zach Ekey (shot put),

The Big Red’s 4×1 team also advanced.

UNION LOCAL

Senior speedster Luke Menges put forth an impressive performance in helping to lead the Jets. He swept the two sprints. He won the 100 in 11.29 and then clocked a 22.96.

Menges will be joined by Aaron Prout (200, 400), Zach Bateman (pole vault),